Divorce and Separation Archives - Nichols Zauzig

Family Law group provides breakfast for SERVE shelter guests

Maureen — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 15:29:14 +0000

On a recent Sunday morning, the Nichols Zauzig Family Law Section brought the comfort and warmth of home-cooked meals to about 60 guests at the SERVE Family Shelter in Prince William County.

The group provided, prepared and served nutritious meals for shelter residents. “We enjoyed being a part of helping others in our community, meeting all of the families, and especially loved seeing the smiles on the children’s faces,” said Paralegal Renee Rogers.

Group photo, l to r: Paralegal Shannon Arsenault, Attorney Andrew Taylor, Attorney Cassandra Chin, Paralegal Renee Rogers and Attorney Randell Scism.

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6 Nichols Zauzig Partners Honored by Best Lawyers® for 2024

Maureen — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 22:17:52 +0000

Congratulations to Chuck Zauzig, Paul F. Nichols, Cassandra M. Chin, Claire Keena and Melissa Ray for being selected by their peers to be included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. We also congratulate Mike Hollingsworth for being selected by his peers for the 2024 Best Lawyers® “Ones to Watch.”

Mr. Zauzig and Mr. Nichols have each been recognized annually since 2006. Mr. Zauzig is included for both Medical Malpractice Law and Personal Injury Litigation. Mr. Nichols is recognized for Family Law, as is Ms. Chin, for the fourth consecutive year.

Ms. Keena, selected by Best Lawyers for Personal Injury Litigation since 2021, earned the honor again for 2024. Ms. Ray has been selected for the second consecutive year for Medical Malpractice Law. Mr. Hollingsworth has been honored by Best Lawyers for inclusion in the “Ones to Watch” for the third year.

Best Lawyers in America is an annually released peer review guide to the legal profession. For more details on methodology and the selection process, visit www.bestlawyers.com.

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Nichols Zauzig Recognized Among Largest Law Firms in Virginia

Maureen — Tue, 30 May 2023 15:21:36 +0000

Nichols Zauzig is pleased to be named as one of the largest law firms in Virginia, according to Virginia Lawyers Weekly. The 2023 survey of “Virginia’s Largest Law Firms” is based on the number of Virginia-licensed lawyers practicing from an office located within the commonwealth.

Nichols Zauzig is also a Tier One Best Law Firm in America and has been since 2010, as recognized by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers. The firm qualifies in the practice areas of Medical Malpractice/Personal Injury and Family Law.

Located in Woodbridge, Virginia, Nichols Zauzig was founded in 1989 by Chuck Zauzig and Paul Nichols who have since earned some of the highest accolades in the practice of law. Other attorneys include: Partners Cassandra Chin, Melissa Ray, Claire Keena and Mike Hollingsworth; and Associates Melanie Rice, Andrew Taylor and Randell Scism.

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Attorney Cassandra Chin elected Vice President of National AAML

Maureen — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 03:30:17 +0000

We are excited to announce that Cassandra Chin, a partner with Nichols Zauzig, was elected one of the Vice Presidents of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) at the organization’s recent Annual Meeting in Chicago.

Ms. Chin has been on the AAML Executive Committee since 2018, having served most recently as Secretary, and prior to that time, as Membership Committee Chair.

After meeting the stringent membership criteria, Ms. Chin became one of the youngest fellows to be accepted into AAML in 2013. In 2014, she was elected as the Virginia representative to the National AAML.

Admission standards to become an AAML fellow are extensive and comprehensive and only 13.7% of all family lawyers in the U.S. are elected members, including 52 in Virginia.

To even begin the process, applicants must have a minimum of 10 years as a practicing attorney, with 75% of their practice being in the area of matrimonial law. The vetting process includes a written and oral exam, as well as detailed questionnaires to opposing counsel, sitting judges and every AAML fellow in the state of application. The applicant must also meet a certain number of hours of annual continuing legal education, and demonstrate substantial involvement and leadership in the field of matrimonial law. Each applicant must have substantial trial experience as lead counsel for complex matrimonial law litigation.

Ms. Chin joined Nichols Zauzig in 2001, the first job of her career. Early on, she became involved with local and state bar associations. Ultimately, she became the youngest person ever to serve on the Board of Governors for the Virginia State Bar Family Law Section, later becoming Chair.

Since 2019, Ms. Chin has also been a fellow with the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, consisting of the top 100 family law attorneys in the nation.

We are proud to celebrate Ms. Chin’s national leadership position and look forward to her next accomplishment!

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5 Nichols Zauzig Partners Named Best Lawyers® for 2023

Maureen — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 22:48:55 +0000

Congratulations to Chuck Zauzig, Paul F. Nichols, Cassandra M. Chin, Claire Keena and Melissa Ray for being selected by their peers to be included in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.

Also recognized in Family Law is Ms. Chin, who has been honored since 2020. Ms. Keena has been named to Best Lawyers for Personal Injury Litigation and Ms. Ray for Medical Malpractice Law.

According to the Best Lawyers 2023 magazine, 13 million peer evaluations were completed for nominated attorneys across the U.S and 75 other countries around the world in 148 practice areas. From that process, 129,518 attorneys in total were recognized, including 3,362 in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

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Nichols presented with Family Law Lifetime Achievement Award at 2022 Virginia Bar meeting

Maureen — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 17:00:10 +0000

Paul F. Nichols was honored last month with the Virginia State Bar Family Law Board of Governors Lifetime Achievement Award, which he earned in 2021, but the in-person presentation was delayed until this year’s ceremony due to the pandemic. One attorney is selected annually for this award at the discretion of the Board of Governors.

The Honorable Rossie Alston, Jr. presented the plaque award to Mr. Nichols at the Annual Family Law Seminar, held in person last month at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond.

Mr. Nichols has practiced law for nearly 43 years with Nichols Zauzig, located in Woodbridge and Manassas. A fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Nichols has extensive litigation experience and helped create the family law section of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association in the 1980s. He has been on the board of governors of the Family Law section of the Virginia State Bar and is a frequent lecturer and author on family topics.

Nichols has been a Commissioner in Chancery for the Circuit Court of Prince William County since 1985. He served in the Virginia General Assembly House of Delegates from 2008-2010, where he drafted and helped gain passage of several family laws in the Commonwealth.

A graduate of King’s College and George Mason University College of Law, Mr. Nichols has been the recipient of numerous peer awards including Best Lawyers in America, Washington DC and Virginia Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell’s preeminent AV rating. He devotes his charitable efforts to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Breast Cancer Awareness, among others.

Photos caption (left to right): The Honorable Rossie Alston, Jr. and Paul F. Nichols; Paul F. Nichols and his wife, Linda Nichols; Friends & family gathered at The Jefferson Hotel to honor Mr. Nichols’ achievement.

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Paul F. Nichols named to 2019 Class of “Leaders in the Law” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly

Maureen — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 14:39:42 +0000

Paul F. Nichols, Principal with Nichols Zauzig, has been named to the 2019 Class of “Leaders in the Law” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly. The awards program recognizes lawyers who are setting the standard for other lawyers in Virginia and named 30 people to the 2019 class. The honorees were celebrated recently at a reception in Richmond.

Mr. Nichols, a founder of Nichols Zauzig, has achieved nationwide recognition from his peers in the practice of family law. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a national organization with stringent requirements for membership, including peer review and testing. In addition, Mr. Nichols has received Martindale Hubbell’s highest rating (Preeminent AV) for legal ability and ethics.

Mr. Nichols has been named a Super Lawyer® for the past 13 years and a U.S. News-Best Lawyers® Best Lawyer annually since 2006. He is regularly named among the Top Lawyers for Family Law in Northern Virginia Magazine and Washingtonian magazine. Mr. Nichols has lectured on various family law topics to local bar associations in Northern Virginia, and throughout the state for the Virginia State Bar and Virginia Trial Lawyers Association.

For a complete list of the Virginia “Leaders in the Law” honorees, click here. Every honoree was interviewed for a profile in the special supplement to Virginia Lawyers Weekly. Mr. Nichols’ interview appears below.

Nichols Zauzig was founded in 1989 by Mr. Nichols and Charles J. Zauzig, who is a past honoree of the Virginia “Leaders in the Law.” The firm’s practice areas are divorce and family law, medical malpractice/personal injury and criminal defense. Nichols Zauzig has offices in Woodbridge, Manassas and Stafford, Virginia.

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Chin Named to American College of Family Trial Lawyers

Maureen — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 21:32:10 +0000

Cassandra Chin, a partner with Nichols Zauzig, has been named a Diplomate with The American College of Family Trial Lawyers (ACFTL), which is limited to 100 of the top family law attorneys in the United States and is by invitation only.

Diplomates, all members of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), are chosen based upon their recognized litigation skills and courtroom abilities in handling complex divorce, child custody and support cases.

Formed in 1993, the ACFTL has achieved national recognition through its diplomates handling well-publicized cases and cutting-edge issues of local and national importance. Diplomates are involved in the uppermost level of continuing education through the presentation of CLE programs, acting as guest speakers, participating in hands-on interactive sessions, as well as participating in the free-flow exchange of ideas and innovative conceptions amongst its members.

Ms. Chin has been practicing family law for 18 years, all with Nichols Zauzig. Early on in her career, Ms. Chin got involved with local and state bar associations. Ultimately, she became the youngest person ever to serve on the Board of Governors for the Virginia State Bar Family Law Section, later becoming Chair.

See also: Chin speaks about family law issues at AAML national meeting

On a national level, Ms. Chin was one of the youngest fellows when she was accepted into AAML, after meeting the stringent membership criteria. She is now the organization’s national Membership Committee Chair and a non-voting member of the national Executive Committee. Ms. Chin is also the elected Virginia representative to the national AAML. For the Prince William County Bar Association, Ms. Chin is Co-Chair of the Family Law Committee–a position she has held since 2007. Washingtonian Magazine named Ms. Chin as a Top Lawyer in 2018 and she has been a Virginia and Washington, D.C. Super Lawyer since 2016.

Ms. Chin received her J.D. from George Mason University School of Law, graduating cum laude in 2000. She holds a B.B.A. from James Madison University, graduating cum laude in 1997.

Nichols Zauzig’s award-winning reputation in Virginia family law is built on 38 years of representing clients in divorce, child custody and family law cases in Prince William County, Manassas, Fairfax, Stafford and throughout Northern Virginia. For additional information, please visit the Nichols Zauzig website.

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Chin speaks at AAML National Meeting

Maureen — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 23:16:11 +0000

Ms. Chin spoke on the division of pension benefits.

Cassandra Chin (center) led the AAML National Membership Committee meeting.

Woodbridge family lawyer Cassandra M. Chin, a Partner with Nichols Zauzig, spoke about the division of pension benefits as part of a panel discussing factors to consider when drafting marital agreements at the recent American Academy of Family Lawyers (AAML) Mid-Year Meeting in Mexico.

During the five-day event, Ms. Chin also led her second AAML National Membership Committee Meeting as its Chair, a position she was appointed to last November. Ms. Chin attended the National Executive Committee Meeting as well. She was named an AAML Fellow in 2013, becoming one of the youngest fellows to be accepted since the organization’s founding in 1962.

Ms. Chin was recently selected as a Best Lawyer by Washingtonian Magazine. She has been a Super Lawyer® since 2016, after three years as a Rising Star for the Virginia and Washington D.C. regions.

Ms. Chin, together with Nichols Zauzig partners Paul F. Nichols and Betty Moore Sandler, are the only AAML fellows based in Prince William County, and among 55 fellows in all of Virginia. Nationally, 1650 fellows have met the rigorous and highly selective AAML admissions process, which includes:

10 years of experience, with 75% of the practice devoted to family law
substantial trial experience as lead counsel for complex matrimonial litigation
detailed questions about the applicant answered by opposing counsel, sitting judges and every AAML fellow in the state of application
written and oral exams
substantial involvement and leadership in family law

Ms. Chin joined Nichols Zauzig in 2001. In addition to her strong involvement with AAML, she has been active in leadership roles for the local Prince William County and Virginia bar associations.

Virginia Chapter AAML

AAML National Executive Committee Meeting

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3 Partners named Washingtonian Top Lawyers

Maureen — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 21:40:00 +0000

Washingtonian magazine named Cassandra Chin, Charles J. Zauzig and Betty Moore Sandler as Top Lawyers in its annual listing published last month.

Top lawyers in Northern Virginia, suburban Maryland and D.C. were recommended by their peers in 20 practice areas, including family law and personal injury law.

Cassandra Chin is a divorce and family law attorney and has been with the firm since 2001. This is her first appearance on the Washingtonian Top Lawyers list. She is the National Membership Chair of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a member of the organization’s National Executive Board. Ms. Chin is a Super Lawyer® and a former Rising Star.

Charles J. Zauzig, III is a specialist and national lecturer in the field of medical malpractice/personal injury. He has been named a Washingtonian Top Lawyer since 2007. Mr. Zauzig was named Best Lawyers® Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiff Attorney of the Year in 2019 and 2014 and Best Lawyers® Medical Malpractice-Plaintiff Attorney of the Year in 2018, 2016 and 2011. He is a Fellow with the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Betty Moore Sandler has practiced family law for more than 30 years and appeared on this list since 2002. She is a Fellow with both the International Academy of Family Lawyers and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She was named by Virginia Lawyers Weekly as among its 2019 “Influential Women of Law” and, in 2017, was named as a “Top 50 Women Attorney” by Super Lawyers®. In 2015, the Virginia State Bar, Family Law Section honored Ms. Sandler with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

To be recognized on the Washingtonian Top Lawyers list, attorneys are nominated by their peers in Northern Virginia and the entire Washington-D.C. area. Nominees are then vetted by the magazine’s editorial staff, including researching notable recent cases and interviewing local legal leaders. This year the list includes attorneys in 20 practice areas, from an estimated 80,000+ lawyers in Northern Virginia, suburban Maryland and the District of Columbia.

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